STU AND LIN VISIT THE LARGE HIGH END SYSTEMS AT THE AV SHOW WARSAW 2025 GOLDEN TULIP VENUE
In the first of our Audio Video Show Warsaw 2025 reports, Stu and Lin bring you coverage of the Golden Tulip venue.
We’ve been coming to the Audio Video Show Warsaw for as long as I can remember and it’s always been a highlight in our HiFi Show Diary. Warsaw is a wonderful city and for the first couple of years we came to the event we were able to see a little bit of the city on the Friday, as the show doesn’t open til noon on the Friday – it’s caught us and other out several times in the past! However, as HiFi PiG has grown, so has the Warsaw show.
AUDIO VIDEO SHOW WARSAW 2025
Warsaw Audio Video Show is held over three venues. The Golden Tulip (it has several nicknames, depending on who you are talking to), The Sobieski, and the National Stadium. Given that we were well aware of the scale of the show, this year (as per last year), we took along the young folk in the shape of HiFi Piglets Oscar and Kelly…and also a whole load of squeaky little Hifi PiGs, who were very popular with exhibitors and visitors alike.
Our weekend was planned like a military operation, and we (Lin and Stu) had our bits of the show to cover (The Stadium on the Friday and Saturday, and the Golden Tulip on Sunday) whilst Oscar and Kelly covered the Sobieski on Friday and Saturday, and headed over to the stadium to cover all things headphone related on the Sunday. The only way to make sure that you guys (the lovely readers) get to experience (albeit third-hand) an idea of what it’s like to be at an event of this size is to preplan and stick to that plan! Our intention, as at all the events we cover, is to cover all the rooms and all the exhibits in one way or another. Yes, this makes for a lot of work and for a big report, but we at HiFi PiG think that the effort exhibitors put in should be rewarded by our hard work to make sure they get the international coverage they deserve. Long story short is that that we aren’t here to drum up business for any of the shows we are involved in, nor to flog our advertising services (all that can be done after hours in the bar or with a zoom call after the event), we are here to work and to cover all of the show to the best of our abilities.
But make no mistake, Warsaw Audio Visual Show (AVS) 2025 is mahoosively mahoosive and Adam, who organises the event, has increased the number of rooms available to exhibitors at the Stadium.
It would be remiss of me not to mention a bit about the City of Warsaw, because our host city is wonderfully vibrant and not at all expensive. Before we set off I had a look at what was happening over the weekend we were there and as well as a few gigs and concerts, it would seem that Warsaw has embraced the hard techno scene and there were at least two events on that we’re now far too old to attend ourselves. However, we did mange to make time of an evening to venture into the city and we were certainly very well catered for with regards to excellent and affordable food!
If you have never been to the Warsaw AVS, then I really do urge you to make the effort in 2026. The show is fab, the city is great, the people are really friendly, and if you have time there’s a load of cultural things (over and above the show) for visitors to enjoy.
We would also like to extend huge thanks to our Audio Video Show Warsaw 2025 coverage sponsor, British cable brand Telliurium Q…more about them later in our reports.
Anyway, enough of my yadder, here’s the first part of our report. It’s a biggie (as befits the event), so make yourself a cuppa, or pour a glass of your favourite beverage, sit back and let HiFi PiG guide you around what has to be one of the world’s finest audio and HiFi events.
Please note, all content and photos are the copyright of HiFi PiG Magazine/Big Pig Media LLP and must not be copied or reproduced in any way without the prior, written consent of the editor.
AUDIO VIDEO SHOW WARSAW 2025 REPORT PART ONE THE GOLDEN TULIP
AVATAR AUDIO
Avatar Audio returned to Audio Video Show for its thirteenth appearance, presenting the latest version of its signature HOLOPHONY Number 1 loudspeakers. The design is apparently the result of thirteen years of research and thousands of crossover prototypes. Each pair is handmade and individually tuned. We’ve heard them a good number of times and always in this room at Warsaw, and always liked their laidback and chilled out sound.
The HOLOPHONY models use original wideband drivers from the 1950s and 1960s with ultra-light paper cones for speed and micro detail. All cones, including the tweeter, are made from paper for a natural tonal balance. Power handling is limited to 20 watts, prioritising resolution and transparency, so no need for megawatts with these. The design includes grounding terminals for the driver baskets to enhance imaging and separation, and all electrical connections are made without solder to avoid tin’s effect on sound.
The source used was the Avatar Audio LIVEBIT streamer, with system components being supported by Avatar Audio RECEPTOR anti-vibration platforms and wired with Avatar Audio DREAMLINK cables.
NATURAL SOUND POLSKA
This year, Natural Sound hosted Danish manufacturer Zikra Audio, presenting its electronics paired with high-efficiency horn loudspeakers. The speakers were huge and very cool-looking horns.
Zikra Audio is a Danish high-end company that hand-builds valve-based amplification with an emphasis on musicality and craftsmanship. The brand’s designs feature minimalist layouts, polished stainless-steel chassis, and top-quality transformers and wiring. Each unit is assembled with great care, reflecting the company’s philosophy of purity and precision in music reproduction.
The Warsaw presentation offered visitors a chance to experience Zikra Audio’s distinctive approach to amplification in a system built for dynamic, high-sensitivity loudspeakers. The front end was a very cool-looking Technics direct-drive turntable that I lusted after much more than is healthy for a fella of my advancing years. However, not sure I’d be playing the kind of jazz they were playing in this room…though, perhaps, given the state of my (and others’) head this morning, screaming techno might not have been the best idea and chilled jazz was indeed more appropriate.
RCM AUDIO
Katowice-based RCM prepared several premieres for this year’s Audio Video Show. In the Platinum I and Silver II rooms at the Golden Tulip Hotel, the company presented new products from its distributed brands across two systems.
Loudspeakers from Gauder Akustik and YG Acoustics (the new Hailey 3) were driven by amplification from Vitus Audio (SM-025) and Thrax Audio. As always with RCM, turntables played a central role, with SME, Kuzma, and TechDAS on demonstration. Cartridges from My Sonic Lab, DS Audio, and Kuzma were shown in various configurations. Phono stages included RCM’s BigPhono, Sensor2 MkII, and Theriaa (clever name) MkII models.
Digital playback was handled by Vitus Audio and CEC. Cabling and accessories came from Argento Audio and Furutech. The systems were placed on Neo HighEnd furniture from Slovakia, with acoustic treatment by Polish manufacturer Acoustic Manufacture.
NAUTILUS POLAND
Distributor Nautilus Poland had rooms at the stadium, the Sobieski, and the Golden Tulip Hotel. At the Golden Tulip, two main demonstrations were on show…there were presentations in both of their rooms while we were there, but from what we heard of the systems, they had achieved something very special with both.
In Golden 2, visitors could hear Ayon Audio electronics paired with Lumen White Light III loudspeakers and Siltech cabling.
In Golden 1, the system featured Estelon loudspeakers (X Diamond MkII) with Kondo electronics, The power amp was the Kagura 2i , Line pre was the G1000i and the phono stage ws he GE10i. Turntable was the Translator Orion Reference FmD with an ZYX cartridge . Cables alone in this system added up to a cool 190K Euros…visually, this was also a stunning looking room to match the sound.
GALERIA AUDIO
At this year’s Audio Video Show, visitors could hear the Zellaton Emotion Evo loudspeakers from Germany. The system also included the TSI 300 integrated hybrid amplifier from Greek manufacturer TLA, the Goldmund EIDOS SACD and USB player, the Taiko Extreme music server, the J. Sikora Aspire turntable, and the Goldmund Mimesis PH 3.8 Nextgen phono preamplifier. Cabling came from Schnerzinger of Germany. Like the previous room, they were playing Belafonte.
GROBEL AUDIO
At the Audio Video Show 2025 Grobel Audio hosted two world premieres: the Franco Serblin Accordo Unica and the Jadis Aria.
First up was Franco Serblin with the new Accordo Unica is the result of Massimiliano Favelli’s precise and dedicated work, following the principles established by Franco Serblin himself. The speakers are built from solid wood, aluminium, and stainless steel, reflecting the brand’s commitment to craftsmanship and musical integrity.
Franco Serblin, originally a physician and violinist, became known as “The Man Who Makes Sound.” His designs treated loudspeakers as musical instruments, combining elegant form with authentic performance. His approach merged traditional luthier techniques with modern engineering, creating loudspeakers that were as beautiful to look at as they were to listen to.
Next up was a firm HiFi PiG favourite with Jadis. Jadis has spent more than forty years focusing on musical emotion rather than measurement. Every product is handcrafted in France with great attention to detail. If I was to go all valve again, this is likely where my money would be spent. Not sure what the Jazz was that was playing but it was lovely and I think that the final room of the Warsaw AVS that we visited was also my most favourite from a sound perspective. As Lin said, “I know it’s a cliche, but that was just effortless.”
Please note, all content and photos are the copyright of HiFi PiG Magazine/Big Pig Media LLP and must not be copied or reproduced in any way without the prior, written consent of the editor.
Follow all of our Audio Video Show Warsaw 2025 coverage here
Stay tuned for much more from HiFi PiG at the Audio Video Show Warsaw 2025 as we report from the Stadium and Headphone Zone and the Sobieski Hotel venues.
Linette and Stuart Smith
